Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Kellen Clemens, penalties, Brett Ratliff, Brett Favre, Jesse Chatman, Dustin Keller, Renaldo Wynn
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08/23 — The suspense was ended very quickly at the top of the second half when, after Ahmad Carroll returned the kickoff for the Jets, No. 11, not No. 4, jogged onto the field to take the snaps from center.
And Kellen Clemens, replacing Brett Favre at QB, did pretty well after a flurry of penalty flags beset the Jets.
Clemens, in fact, hit eight of his 11 passes during his one drive of the night for 80 yards. And that drive, which didn't get started until the Jets started moving forward on first-and-25 from their 7, moved to the Giants 6 before it stalled and Mike Nugent came on to convert from 24 yards out and give the Jets the first points of the night and a 3-0 lead.
Clemens' key completions on the drive: a third-and-10 conversion for 12 yards to rookie WR Marcus Henry, a second-and-16 needle-threader to rookie TE Dustin Keller for 34 yards, and a fourth-and-3 conversion to Jesse Chatman, who spun and dived for the 9-yard gain.
After KC's one possession, Brett Ratliff took over. And his status entering the game as the NFL's passing-yardage leader with 400 yards on the nose did not help him on his second pass, which he threw right to dropping DE Renaldo Wynn for an interception.
One subject that will unquestionably come up during head coach Eric Mangini's remarks the next few days will be on the Jets' penalties against the Giants. They went in at halftime with five flags thrown against them for 25 yards.
Then on their first three snaps of the second half, with Clemens at QB, they got three more penalties — Chris Baker for illegal formation, Will Montgomery for a false start and Jacob Bender for illegal formation (lining up too far off the line). After running four plays, the Green & White got another yellow flag, on Matt McChesney for a false start.
Then add C.J. Mosley's unsportsmanlike conduct for taking a celebratory jump while still standing over Giants backup David Carr, whom he had just sacked.
The 10 penalties (for 70 yards) through the third quarter threatened to set a Mangini era record. Here are the most penalties in a game by the Jets in the 44 pre-, regular and postseason games with Mangini as Jets coach (*through three quarters):
| Year | Type | Opponent | Pens | Yds |
| 2006 | PS | at Washington | 11 | 70 |
| 2008 | PS | vs. Giants* | 10 | 70 |
| 2007 | RS | at Buffalo | 9 | 66 |
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (13)Rick Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 10:15pm EDT"This Ratliff guy throws a really nice ball, i am very impressed with him. He may be a real find. "
Kathy Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 10:32pm EDT"I'm glad to hear that Brett is doing well, I'm rooting for him all the way. I just wish he was still in Green Bay so I could see him play. I need to get the NFL package!!!"
Wayne Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 10:53pm EDT"The Defense was awesome w/ 8 sacks but our running game was non-existant. Also, need to step it up and eliminate penalties. Otherwise a great effort for a pre-season game. Next week won't be a factor as the starters will sit out. Can't wait for the opener in Miami. Go Jets!"
Ira Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 11:00pm EDT"Randy, The amount of penalties were ridiculous and i am happy it happened now instead of the regular season. I thought Kellen looked the best he has all summer with that drive. Ratliff showed me a lot after throwing that INT he came right back and hit Pociask and Raymond. Keller and Smith each had nice games. The pass rush was great. They still gave up some big runs. Overall more positives. GO JETS!"
Drew Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 11:04pm EDT"Jets fans......I would like to introduce Calvin Pace. He was an absolute stud tonight. One year wonder huh???? The Giants have a really nice o-line and he could not be blocked. Run D was really improved. I hope everyone saw Gholsten manhandle the LT on a couple of rushes. Every week he is getting better. Lowery, Harris, Jenkins looked ready also.. "
Drew Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 11:10pm EDT"This team is a top pass blocking team already.......Run blocking has got to get better much better. TJ will be fine..(I hope) and L Washington is much improved from last year...... Not worried about the flags. Mangini will get those corrected. Favre made throws on his 3rd progression that Chad couldn't make is his dreams. Cotchery and Keller are going to be studs with Favre under center. "
Ira Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 11:11pm EDT"Also nice to see Raymond catch that winning TD pass. He bounced back nice after last weeks drop. He is a perfect player for the PS. Spencer another good performance and i expect him to make this team. Lowery is a 4th rd steal. Poteat should've held on to that INT. I think Smith and Stuckey are in a tie for that #3 spot. Right now i will give the edge to Smith. He's come on strong the last 2 weeks."
Xavion Said:
Sun, August 24, 2008 - 11:04am EDT"I sawway too much that needs to be improved. I think we should have had starters go 1 more series. I did not like the run defense the past few weeks but it does look like we come up big on def in red zone. the penalties wiped out big plays. Gholston did get pressure this week and would have had that sack had pace not made it on the RZ possesion. Our running has looked anemic all preseason though"
Xavion Said:
Sun, August 24, 2008 - 11:09am EDT"Hopefully, Thats more of the team trying to progress Brett. On another Note Chad looked really good for Miami and Im really not underestimating them for game 1, I mean they were playing the Chiefs but still.. Kellen won some votes back but Ratliff still looks like he has the swagger coming back after completing 2 big Plays, Hey Miami is Going to have a Chad at 1&2 maybe we'll have a Brett at 1&2"
Row Said:
Sun, August 24, 2008 - 11:53am EDT"A lot of positives guys, I agree with you all, but we need to score points to win. You have to run the ball to give the D time to rest. I haven't seen either. "
Viveca Said:
Sun, August 24, 2008 - 12:12pm EDT"The defense is really coming along. Our problem is the running game. A combination of poor runblocking, and lack of wiggle and explosivness from T.Jones. Don't think he is the answer. No more than 2-3 yards everytime. Too bad we let go of Danny Ware!"
poobah Said:
Fri, August 29, 2008 - 7:13am EDT"hey randy. anyway to get mini captions on the rotating photos next to the story? often see a pic and wonder who it is!"
Randy Lange Said:
"poobach, we'll work on it."
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kojhi Said:
Sat, August 23, 2008 - 9:50pm EDT"j e t s jets jets jets"
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